Anaesthetics] 5 [Anaesthetics 



constipation, add from two to twelve grains of 

 rhubarb to each dozen pills. When the stomach 

 is very irritable, from a half to three grains 1 of 

 reduced iron may be tried alone. The dose 

 should be given three times a day with the food. 

 Anaesthetics: The best way to administer 

 chloroform is by one of Krohne & Sesemann's 

 inhalers. When this is used, it is almost 

 impossible to have any bad results, as the 

 chloroform is given so slowly. Failing one of 

 these appliances, it may be given on a napkin 

 folded so as to make a pouch in which the 

 nose should be put ; but it is necessary to 

 muzzle the dog before commencing, otherwise 

 he will be sure to bite the operator. In giving 

 chloroform it is necessary to commence with very 

 small quantities ; about twenty * drops to half a 

 drachm should be poured inside the pouch formed 

 in the napkin, and then placed over the dog's 

 nose. This should be repeated every two or 

 three minutes until the dog lies quietly, and the 

 eye is insensible to the touch. When a dog is 

 under the influence of chloroform it is most 

 important to watch the breathing, and if it 

 becomes very slow, discontinue giving the 

 chloroform immediately. If the breathing stops, 

 remove the muzzle, draw the tongue out as far 

 as it will come, and hold to the nose, on a piece 

 of lint, a few drops of strong ammonia, and 

 resort to artificial respiration. Dogs always 

 struggle very much against taking chloroform, 



1 According to the size of the dog. See p. 86. 



